Great numbers of the animals that carry the baggage and food, without which the poor infidels are unable to march, would die, and the weakened force would be an easy prey for us." "That is true," the other said, "but they may come now, as they came to Dongola, in their boats." "They have the cataracts to ascend, and the rapid currents of the Nile at its full to struggle against.

There is a strong force at Abu Hamed, and our Governor at Berber will move down there, with all his force, when he hears that the Egyptians are coming up the cataracts.

Should it be the will of Allah that they should pass them, and reach Berber, we shall know how to meet them.

Mahmud has settled this evening that many strong forts are to be built on the river bank here, and if the infidels try to advance farther by water, they will be all sunk.
"I agree with you and Mahmud, and wish that it had been otherwise, and that we could hurl ourselves at once upon the Egyptians and prevent their coming farther--but that would be but a partial success.

If we wait, they will gather all their forces before they come, and we shall destroy them at one blow.